Department for Business and Trade

UK Trade with EU: Exports

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what figures they hold for UK exports to the EU in (1) 2019, and (2) 2022; and what assessment they have made of the estimated difference in the figures for 2022 if the UK had remained in the EU.

Lord Offord of Garvel: Latest figures from the ONS show that UK exports of goods and services to the EU totalled £340 billion in 2022, this is up 14% in current prices compared to 2019 (£298 billion). Since leaving the EU, we have agreed trade deals with 73 countries and the EU, UK exports to the world totalled £815 billion in 2022, this is up 17% in current prices compared to 2019 (£700 billion).

Manufacturing Industries

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Make UKManufacturing Outlook 2023 Quarter 3, published on 14 September; and in particular, the findings that there has been a (1) "slowdown in employment growth", and (2) "a decline in output performance which is also mirrored by the performance of orders which have sunk into negative territory".

The Earl of Minto: The latest ONS statistics present marginal monthly declines in the number of pay-rolled manufacturing employees[1] in July and August 2023 following modest increases throughout the rest of 2023. Overall, the number of pay-rolled employees in the sector has increased by 0.3% in the year to August. ONS Index of Production data[2] indicates that manufacturing output had a monthly decline of 0.7% in July 2023 following a 3.9% increase in the year to June. Overall, the latest data shows manufacturing output is estimated to have increased by 3.2% in the year to July. [1] ONS PAYE Real Time Information https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/realtimeinformationstatisticsreferencetablenonseasonallyadjusted [2] ONS Index of Production https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/datasets/outputoftheproductionindustries ONS PAYE Real Time Information (xlsx, 2045.2KB)ONS Index of Production (xlsx, 183.2KB)

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Windsor Framework

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government what, if any, discussions they are holding with the EU regarding amending the terms of the Windsor Framework.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Windsor Framework fundamentally amends the old Northern Ireland Protocol and is the best possible deal for Northern Ireland. The UK Government is now working with businesses and stakeholders, focussed on the successful implementation of the Framework.

Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Azerbaijan’s military offensive of 19 September in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what representations they have made to that government to encourage it to cease the offensive to allow for a resumption of negotiations with Karabakh Armenians on outstanding issues.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The return of conflict to Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September was devastating for the local population; the subsequent ceasefire announced on 20 September must now be upheld by all parties. The Azerbaijani Government must continue to engage in talks with ethnic Armenian representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure that it delivers on its humanitarian commitments. I [Lord Ahmad] raised this at the UN Security Council on 21 September and with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 23 September. Direct dialogue is the only way to secure stability and security for the region.

Nagorno Karabakh: Humanitarian Aid

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian needs of Armenian Karabakhs in Nagorno-Karabakh, following the latest military offensive of 19 September, and what assistance they are providing to meet those needs.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has placed local communities under immense pressure. We welcome the news that the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have access into Nagorno-Karabakh. The UK is providing £1 million to the ICRC to provide life-saving medication, healthcare and other essential support to those affected by the recent conflict. The funding will also support the ICRC to transport the wounded and help displaced families keep in contact. We are liaising with the UN, the ICRC and others to assess humanitarian need in the region and what further UK assistance is required.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Janke: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel following the killing of a 15 year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in the back by Israeli forces on 9 September at the entrance to the Al-Arroub refugee camp.

Baroness Janke: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the 45 Palestinian children who have so far been killed in 2023.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is alarmed by the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In our dialogue with the Israeli authorities we have recognised their legitimate need to deploy security measures to address this violence. We encourage them to deploy these in a way which minimises tension and use appropriate force. In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we have advocated swift, transparent investigations. The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, as the Foreign Secretary made clear during his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 11-13 September.

Zimbabwe: Development Aid

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their financial support for Zimbabwe in the light of concerns that its Presidential election was not free and fair.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As set out in the Minister for Development and Africa's statement on 31 August, the UK shares the view of the Election Observation Missions' preliminary statements that the pre-election environment and election day fell short of regional and international standards. Specific issues included a lack of transparency in the tallying of results, as well as the arrests of domestic observers. The UK remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe and its people on a path to long-term, inclusive, and resilient development, democracy, and prosperity. No UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) is channelled directly through Government of Zimbabwe systems. Instead, we work primarily through multilateral organisations, notably United Nations agencies, as well as international NGOs and the private sector ensuring maximum impact and targeted support reaches the most vulnerable Zimbabweans.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Stonehenge: A303

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the calls by UNESCO to either amend or not proceed with plans for a road tunnel by Stonehenge.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: We have been engaging closely with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre regarding the proposed A303 scheme, and I attended the World Heritage Committee meeting earlier this month where it was considered.The A303 scheme aims to improve the experience for visitors to Stonehenge and to preserve this important historic site for future generations. The proposed tunnel – which is supported by Historic England, English Heritage and the National Trust, in addition to Wiltshire Council’s Archaeology Service – will reunite and restore tranquillity to this world-renowned landscape by removing the vast majority of the modern road from view. This will significantly improve the area around the World Heritage Site and ensure that it continues to fulfil UNESCO's Outstanding Universal Value criteria.

Department of Health and Social Care

Tobacco: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 19 September (HL10107),what consultations have taken place about the membership of the independent advisory panel as set out in Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/786; and who has so far been appointed to the panel.

Lord Markham: The last consultation by the European Commission on the Independent Advisory panel on characterising flavours in tobacco products was held from 15 July 2016 to 20 October 2016.The current panel exists of six members. Members are appointed for a renewable term of five years. The Commission also has a list of reserved suitable panel members. The following experts are current members of the Independent Advisory Panel:- Dr. Alberto Del Rio, Innovamol Consulting Srl, Bologna, Italy;- Dr. Garmt Dijksterhuis, The Netherlands;- Dr. Jan van Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;- Mr. Emmanuel Vanzeveren, It makes sense SPRL, Braine Le Comte, Belgium (Vice-chair);- Dr. Wouter Visser, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands; and- Prof. Efthimios Zervas, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece (Chair).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Vaccination

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government when they will go to tender for theRespiratory Syncytial Virus immunisation programme.

Lord Markham: Detailed policy options based on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice on respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programmes to protect infants and adults are being developed. Any tender process would only begin once Ministers have reviewed these options and taken a decision.

Sick Leave: Osteoporosis

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask His Majesty's Government how many sick days a year are caused by osteoporotic fractures; whether they have conducted any studies into what impact investment to provide universal, high-quality Fracture Liaison Services across England would have on this figure; and if no such study has been made, whether they intend to commission one.

Lord Markham: 23.4 million days were lost due to sickness absence in 2022 where the condition given was a musculoskeletal condition. This represented 12.6% of all days lost to sickness absence and was the third most common reason. Musculoskeletal conditions include back pain, neck and upper limb problems and other musculoskeletal conditions. This may include osteoporosis but sickness absence data for this specific condition is not held by the Department.The International Osteoporosis Foundation’s report ‘BROKEN BONES, BROKEN LIVES: A roadmap to solve the fragility fracture crisis in Europe’ found that the total number of sick days taken after a fragility fracture in the United Kingdom in 2017 was over 2.5 million days. No studies have been carried out into what impact investment to provide universal, high-quality Fracture Liaison Services across England would have on sick days caused by osteoporotic fractures, and there are currently no plans to commission any.In August 2023, we set out our initial plans for the Major Conditions Strategy within the Case for Change and our Strategic Framework. This initial report sets out what we have learned so far, and shares what we plan to focus on next to develop the final strategy. This included, together with NHS England, exploring further supporting the provision of Fracture Liaison Services.

Coronavirus: Medical Treatments

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase awareness of (1) eligibility for COVID-19 post-exposure treatments, and (2) how to access to COVID-19 post-exposure treatments.

Lord Markham: Information for patients’ awareness of COVID-19 treatments and how to access treatments is published by the National Health Service and is available on the NHS.uk website in an online-only format. The NHS will continue to communicate to people, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, about available clinical interventions, including vaccination and treatments, as well as testing and public health advice.

Treasury

Trader Support Service and UK Internal Trade

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the total cost so far ofsetting up (1) the UK Internal Market Scheme, and (2) the Trader Support Service.

Baroness Penn: (1) The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) will replace the UK Trader Scheme (UKTS) on 30 September 2023. The launch of the UKIMS is an operational activity and delivered through resources in place to manage the UKTS (2) The total cost of setting up and running TSS (August 2020-August 2023) is £411.6m. The TSS cost figures quoted do not include any HMRC operational spend on UKIMS, however they may include some spend on the TSS's own readiness activities for UKIMS.We are not able to provide a figure for spend on UKIMS because we do not hold the information at that granular level, where the scheme has been delivered as part of a wider programme of work. For example, operational staff will be trained to work on UKIMS as well as other related areas and trying to estimate exact cost could lead to inaccuracies in reporting.

UK Internal Trade: Customs

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what authorisations are required, and what customs information needs to be provided, by a trader moving goods from Liverpool to Glasgow or between any other two locations in Great Britain.

Baroness Penn: There is usually no requirement for authorisations or customs declarations for goods being moved between locations within Great Britain. In certain circumstances customs formalities may be required for movements between two locations in GB, for example non-domestic goods that have been imported but are not yet released into the UK market. Additionally, where a business moves goods within GB, it is likely to have to provide ordinary commercial information about what is being moved to any courier, haulier or parcel operator contracted to move the goods, which could include, for example, a description of the goods, their value and their destination.

Department for Education

Private Education: VAT

Lord Lexden: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the scope under existing law for levying VAT on the fees charged by independent schools with charitable status.

Baroness Barran: The government has no plans to make changes to the VAT regime for independent schools. The VAT regime does not treat school fees differently based on whether schools have charitable status or not. All school fees are exempt from VAT.The government has made no assessment of the scope under existing law for levying VAT on the fees charged by independent schools with charitable status. Other organisations, including EDSK, Baines Cutler Consulting, and Oxford Economics have published their own assessments related to this issue.It is also worth noting that in practice, VAT on school fees would be passed on to parents. Schools would be required to pay the difference between the VAT they have charged to parents and the VAT they have themselves paid to other businesses.

Faith Schools: Radicalism

Baroness Verma: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address religious extremism in faith schools.

Baroness Verma: To ask His Majesty's Government what further plans they have to stop radicalisation within faith schools.

Baroness Barran: All children must be safe wherever they are educated, and the department is committed to ensuring that children are safe from extremism and radicalisation.The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 introduced a statutory duty for education providers to have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'. The full act is available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/6/contents. Faith schools are subject to the same duty and responsibilities as non-faith schools. To comply with the 'Prevent duty', providers must demonstrate that they have effective policies and procedures in place to safeguard individuals susceptible to radicalisation.In addition, every school, including faith schools, should actively promote the ‘fundamental British values’ (FBVs) of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. Promoting these values is a way of building pupils’ resilience to radicalisation and enabling them to identify and challenge extremist views.The department has taken a number of steps to prevent extremism from gaining a foothold in our schools across the country, including:Guidance on the promotion of FBVs so that schools have a clear understanding of what is required and how best to practically deliver these.Powers to take action against individual teachers or governors who act in a way which undermines FBVs.Working with Ofsted to strengthen their inspection frameworks, requiring inspectors to assess how well schools protect pupils from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and how they promote FBVs.A counter-extremism helpline and online referral form to ensure those working in the sector and the public can report extremism concerns directly to the department to be investigated where appropriate.The Educate Against Hate website, providing advice, support, and resources for parents, teachers, and school leaders to help them protect young people from extremism and radicalisation. The website is available here: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/resources/hackney-shared-values-toolkit/.Working closely with a network of Prevent Education Officers based in local authorities and the department’s Regional Prevent Coordinators who work directly with education settings and local authorities to implement the Prevent duty.The department keeps its work under regular review to ensure we continue to provide effective support to the sector. This includes implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review of Prevent, which was published on the 8 February 2023. As part of this response, the government published updated statutory guidance for the Prevent duty in September 2023, providing further clarity and good practice for the education sector. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance.

Cabinet Office

Public Sector: Email

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to require all providers of public services (whether the provider is a public body or in the private sector), to provide a facility, whenever they email customers or potential customers, for that email to be answered by email and not to prevent a response witha "no-reply" communication address.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Cabinet Office is not aware of any plans to introduce legislation preventing departments from responding with a "no reply" email.Each department is responsible for deciding how it communicates with members of the public by email.Some departments may wish to send emails from a "no reply" email address to ensure that follow up emails are sent through the correct routes and handled consistently and effectively. However, all departments will either have an email address or a contact form that can be accessed on GOV.UK for members of the public.

UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Caine on 7 November 2022 (HL Deb col 530), what assessment they have made of the compatibility of Article VI of the Union of Ireland Act 1800 with the green and red lane system in the Windsor Framework.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We published our legal position when the Windsor Framework was agreed. This provided the Government's assessment that the Framework respects the Acts of Union.We understand that the Acts of Union are of fundamental importance, reflecting Northern Ireland’s constitutional position in the United Kingdom.We remain fully committed to Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and believe that it is best safeguarded by a fully functioning devolved government.

Windsor Framework

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to strengthen Northern Ireland's place within the Union in light of the adoption of the Windsor Framework; and whether any such legislation will affect the operation and implementation of the Windsor Framework.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government is committed to ensuring the timely and successful implementation of the Windsor Framework and to seeing the restoration of an Executive in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. We are in regular contact with the Northern Ireland political parties about these matters and how we may best secure both objectives.

Ministry of Defence

Ammunition

Lord Patten: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the non-nuclear ammunition available to UK armed forces.

Baroness Goldie: Defence continually manages and analyses its stocks of non-nuclear ammunition through the Key Munitions Planning process, whilst also reviewing industrial capacity and supply chains, both domestically and internationally. The Department remains fully engaged with industry, allies and partners to ensure that equipment and munitions levels remain under continual review and are subject to adjustment in support of evolving Defence requirements.